Perforating apparatus



7, 1945." G. F. WALES 2,381,476

. PERFORATING APPARATUS -Filed Sept. 18, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEYS 1945' G. F. WALES PERFORATING APPARATUS l3 Sheets-sheaf, 2

Filed Sept. 18, 1942 ru/ 7 ATTORNEYS INVENTOR e WaIZQ/J Aug. 7, 1945.

G. F. WALES BERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept 18, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 3'ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1945. G. F. WALES PERFORATING APPARATUS 15Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 18 1942 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 1945- G. F. WALESPERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR G.F. WALES Aug. 7, 1945.

PERFORATING APPARATUS l3 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 18, 1942 INVENTORATTORNEYS Aug. 7, G F. WALES PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept, 18, 194215 Sheets-Sheet 7 QN M @w 3 a. gVjBgOR 1 w? Ami ATTORNEYS I Aug. 7, G.WALES I 2,381,476

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR IQ a 22% BY 9 l 6% gdwyz ATTORNEYS 8- 7, 1945 G. F. WALES PERFORATINGAPPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Khw QNN sw MW WN QNN w%\R A Aug. 7, 1945. G. F. WALES PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18,1942 13 sheets-sheet 1o I INVENTOR BY ml 5M 1 pi /my;

v ATTORNEYS u 1945 G. F. WALES PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed. Sept. 18,1942 13 Sheets-Sheet l1 I W h| |H I l I I I llll PL H Q WHHU T m I H L sm u u L F rum u n K 9m 5w Rx? u n INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1945 G. F.WALES 2,331,476

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1942 13 Sheets-Sheet 15 QM f 7%ATTO R N EYS mww W :5 a n I\ NWN www m AME : l l l ther object is toprovide Patented Aug. 7, 1945 PERFORATING APPARATUS George F. Wales,Kenmore, N. Y.

Application September 1 55 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for punching holes at pointsselected throughout the areas of sheets of I material. This invention isparticularly adapted for punching the numerous rivet holes required inthin metal panels or sheets which are used in forming the outer surfacesof aircraft wings, fuselages, and the like, but the invention may beapplied to other uses where relatively large numbers of holes arerequired in sheets of material.

Due to the large number of closely spaced and accurately located holesrequired in the relatively large panels used in airplane construction,it has heretofore been impractical to punch these holes by means of holepunching dies and, consequently, these holes have heretofore been formedby mean of drill presses, which stack drill" the holes one at a time instacks of sheets. This is a slow, laborious and costly procedure.

One of the objects of this invention is taprovide an improved method andapparatus for simultaneously punching large numbers of holes in thedesired locations throughout the areas of sheets of material. Anotherobject is to provide an apparatus and method of this kind in which thepunches and dies may be accurately placed on a frame while the same isoutside of the press on which it is to be used, and which frame may thenbe placed into the press for use without further delay in the time of;operation of the press. A further object is to provide an apparatus ofthis kind which includes a plurality of frames having perforatin devicesmounted thereon and which frames are correctly positioned in fixedrelation to each other.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a frame comprisingsupporting members rigidly fastened together at their ends and spacedapart to provide a gap of sufficient length to permitthe work to bepassed into these frames between the rails or members of the frame,these members of the frame supporting a number'of punches and dies. Afurpunch units which can be readily adjusted on and then rigidly securedto one of the members of the frame and each of s, 1942, Serial No.458,833

in correct operative relation to a die device mounted on the other rail.

A further object of this invention is to provide a punching apparatus ofthis type in which the upper and lower rails or work perforating memberscarried by the upper frame member are so mounted thereon that none ofthe pressures required for punching and stripping the work are exertedagainst this frame member. A further object is to provide a device ofthis kind in which the main work perforating pressure exerted by the ramof the press is trans.- mitted through the punches and dies to the bedof the press without passing through the frame or frames on which theperforating devices are mounted, so that deformation or flexing of theframe members is avoided.

A further object is to provide a perforating apparatus including a framemember having punches and dies arranged at a side thereof and adjustablymounted thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forpunching sheet material, which includes a; plurality of framessupporting the perforating devices and each comprising a pair of rigidframe members connected at their ends and having their intermediateportions spaced apart to receive between them the work.

Another object of this invention is to provide frames, which carrypunches and dies, with stop gages of improved construction forcooperating with the work to correctly locate the work with reference tothe perforating devices.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a punching apparatusof this type in which the perforating devices are adjustably mounted onthe frames to produce an assembly of punching mechanisms in which nopart is attached to the ram of the press or machine in which theapparatus is operated.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an apparatus of thistype with guide means of improved construction for supporting the workwhen fed to the apparatus and while being perforated.

Another object is to provide apparatus of this type constructed forcooperation with templates which is provided with a stripping element. A

further object is to provide a frame of this kind which adjustablysupports the perforating devices and on which these devices areremovably mounted. Another object is to provide a frame having upper andlower rails arranged in fixed and spaced relation to each other andformed to adjustably support a punching device on one rail for locatingthe punch and die units in correct relations to each other and to thework. A further object is to provide apparatus of this kind in which theperforating devices may be positioned thereon by use of a correctlyperforated sample work piece.

Another object is to provide an improved perforating apparatus andmethod of perforatin sheet material, in which a'number of frames eachbodying this invention for punching or carrying a plurality ofperforating devices are positioned on a template having means foraccurately locating the frames in correct rela n to each other.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the upper rail ormember of a frame with reinforcing means for reventing deflection orbending of such member due to its own weight.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from thefollowing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus emperforating sheet material.i

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation thereof, on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation thereof, approximately on line 4-4,Fig. 1, but showing the punch in raised position. Fig. 5 is a sectionalelevation of a frame member of the apparatus showing mean for axiallyalining the punch and die of a perforating device.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation thereof, on line 4-, Fig. 1, on anenlarged scale.

Fig. '1 is a top plan view of a punching apparatus of modifiedconstruction.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation of a frame membershowing a gage or stop for the work mounted thereon.

Fig. 9 is a-sectional elevation similar to Fig. 8, but showing astripper spring of modified construction.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of the punching apparatus shown inFig. 9.

Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a fragmentary sectional elevation andan elevation of a punch' ing apparatus of modified construction.

Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a fragmentary sectional elevation andan elevation of a punching apparatus of another modified form.

Figs. 15 and 16 are views similar to Figs. 11 and 12 but showing anothermodified form of holding the punches and dies in correct relation to theframe 01' the apparatus.

Figs. 1'7 and 18 are views similar to Figs. 11 and 12 but showinganother modified construction for holding the punches and dies on theframe-0f the apparatus.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary, top plan view of another form of punchingapparatus embodying this invention.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary elevation thereof.

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation thereof, on an enlarged scale, on line21-, Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary elevation of another modified form 01 punchingapparatus.

Fig. 23 is asectional elevation thereof, on line 23-23, Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a punching aparatus ofanother modified form.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary elevation thereof.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary, sectional view on an enlarged scale of theapparatus shown in Figs. 24 and 25, but having a strip template arrangedthereon in place of the template shown in Figs. 24 and 25.

Fig. 27 is a sectional elevation, on line 21-41, Fig. 24, on the samescale as Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary side elevation of a punching apparatus ofslightly modified form.

Fig. 29 is a sectional elevation thereof, on line 28-29, Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a transverse sectional elevation of a punching apparatus ofanother modified form.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a perforating apparatushaving a frame or modifled construction.

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary elevation of a perforating apparatus having atemplate of modified construction.

Fig. 33 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof, on line 33-43, Fig.32. V

Fig. 34 is an elevation of the template blank before the same is formedfor accurate positioning of the perforating devices.

Fig. 35 is a similar view showing the template in finished form.

In accordance with this invention, one or more frames or supports areemployed, each of which may, for example, include a pair of rigid framemembers arranged in fixed parallel relation to each other and spacedapart by means of one or more spacing members, which may, for example,be in the form of blocks arranged between the 1 adjacent ends of theframe members. Perforating members or devices, each comprising a punchunit and a die'unit, are adiustably mounted on these frame members orsupports and may be secured to the upper and lower portions thereof insuch relation that the punch and die units will perforate the work sothat the holes will be accurately spaced and located as desired. Thecorrect location and securing of the perforating members on the frame orframes can best be done while the same are out of the press, so that thepress can be used for other work while the adlusting and securing of theperforating members on their frame or frames is being done. When this iscompleted, the frame or frames may be positioned in a press so that oneof the members of each frame, for example, the lower frame member, issecured to or rests on the bed of the press, and the parts of theperforating units which are secured to the other or upper member of eachframe extend into position to be actuated by the'ram of the press toperform the perforating operations.

It is an important feature of this invention that the movable punches ordies of the perforat ing devices which are mounted on-the other or upperpart of each frame are movably arranged on this member in such a mannerthat none of the pressure of the ram which affects the perforating ofthe work is transmitted to the upper frame member. Consequently, suchother frame member is not caused to flex or move because of theperforating pressures exerted by the ram, and this is important, so thatthe punches and dies on each perforating unit will be maintained inaccurate axial alinement under all working conditions, and so that'theywill not be moved out of alinement by such flexing. By means of thisarrangement, it consequently, becomes possible to make the frames ofsuch lengths that the wide sheets commonly employed in airplaneconstruction may be inserted into the frames supporting the perforatingunits, between the ends thereof.

In Figs. 1 to 6. I have illustrated one embodiment of this invention inwhich'four frames are employed which are connected to each other to forma perforating apparatus capable of forming perforations adjacent to thefour edges of the work. The two sides and the rear frame are similar inthat they are formed to produce perforations arranged in straight linesand the front frame is constructed for use in forming perassume lforations not .arranged in a straight'line. The side and rear frameseach include a lower rail or frame member 4 It and an upper rail orframe member I l preferably spaced from the lower rail,

- for exampleyby means of spacing blocks l2 arranged adjacent the endsof the two rails. The rails may be'flrmly secured to the spacing blocksin any suitable or desired manner, for example,

by means of screws II, and the rails may be held against movement bymeans of dowel pins ll extending through the ends of the rails and thespacing blocks. Any other means for securing these rails to the blocksmay be employed, if desired. After a frame is assembled, it ispreferably subjected to a grinding operation so that the faces-l6 and i6(Figs. 4 and 5) lie in the same plane and parallel to the faces I! andll.

The dowel pins I and screws If in the two'ends of the frame insure thatthe rails remain fixed with the facesthereof in the proper planes andlengthwise of the rail it are proslred position .vided. For; thispurpose, the downwardly extending arm may be provided with a set screw21 adapted to press against the face ll of the rail. The arm 24 may beformed to engage the opposite face I! of the rail, or if desired, thearm may be spaced from the face It, as shown in the drawings, and may beprovided with a projection or beveled flange portion 28 ensasins anundercut or beveled edge or surface 29 of the rail Hi, to hold the dieholder in correct relation to the, rail Ill when the set screw istightened.

By means of this construction, the set screw will draw the holder into aposition in which the lower face of the body portion 23 thereof will bedrawninto engagement with the upper face of the lower rail. The setscrews 21 are preferably provided with lock nuts 21a as shown in Figs. 5and 6, but short socket head set screws 21b, which when tightened havetheir outer ends 1 arranged within the threaded holes in the holders,may be used, as shown in Fig. 4. The arm 25 of the holder is spaced fromthe face ll of the frame member ll sufllciently so that when the railengaging end of the set screw 21 is withdrawn into the arm 25, theholder may be reprevent any shifting of the parts of the frames.

' herein referred to as the upper rail, although it will be obvious thatthe punching apparatus embodying this invention may be equally well usedin connection with a press in which the ram moves ina direction otherthan vertical,

such for example as in a horizontal direction,

so that the frames of the apparatus may be mounted in vertical orinclined positions.

The perforating devices employed in connection with the frame membersdescribed each comprises a die unit and a punch unit. In theconstructions illustrated, the die units are mounted on the lower railand the punches on the upper rail. It is obvious, however, that thisarrangement may be reversed, as illustrated in u my 'pending applicationfor patent, Serial No.

441,594, so that the dies may be movably mounted on the upper rail whilethe punches and stripping mechanism may be mounted on the lower rail.

with the side and rear frames in Fig. land shown .in Figs. 1 to 10,the'die units, which are secured to the lower rail Hi, each includes adie holder or clamp which may be rigidly secured to the lower rail 10and on which the die is mounted. In the particular constructionillustrated, the

die holder includes a body portion 23 engaging I the upper face of therail I 0, a flange or arm 24 which extendsdownwardly along the uprightface l5 of the rail ill, and another downwardly extending arm or flange25 which extends downwardly along the face I! of the lower rail, so

that the holder is substantially of inverted U shape. The die holdermay, consequently, be moved lengthwise of the rail l0 for arranging itin correct relation to the work, and suitable means for securing eachdie holder in 'the de- In the construction employed in connection movedfrom the rail l0. Holders or clamping members of any other suitable formma" he provided, if desired.

Each die holder is provided with a, die 30 of any suitable or usualform, that shown being of cylindrical shape and having the lower portionthereof pressed into an accurately formed hole in the die holder so thatthe die 3t will extend parallel to the faces l5 and lb of the rails l0and II. The die is provided in the upper end thereof with an aperture 31of the desired size into which a punch may enter, and a portion of oneside of the-die may be milled out to intersect the aperture 3|, asindicated at 32, so that the slugs or punchings removed from the work 38may drop out of the die.

The punches may be mounted on punch holders 34 which may besubstantially identical in construction with the die holders which havebeen described, and which are mounted on the upper rail or frame memberII. The punch holders 34 are each provided with a hole to receive aguide sleeve 35 for a punch 36. This hole is carefully formed in thepunch holder 34 so as to be in axial alinement with a die 30 when apunch unit and a die unit are correctly mounted on a frame. The upperend of each punch guide sleeve 36 is preferably rovided with a head oroutwardly extending flange 31 and the punch 3'6 which extends to aconsiderable distance above the guide sleeve is also provided with anenlargement or head 38. A resilient stripping member, such as thestripper spring 39 shown in the drawings, is arranged. between the heads31 and 38 and preferably a weaker spring 40 is provided between the head31 and the punch holder 34.

In setting up a frame for operation on the work, the required number ofdie holders are placed on the lowerrails of the frame and are slidlengthwise of this rail into their correct positions and secured in.such positions by means of the set screws 21. A punch unit is thenplaced on the upper rail 1 l for each die unit on the lower rail and thepunch units are so. located on their rail. that the punch of each punchunit will be in axial alinement with its die.

Any suitable means may be provided for posi- I tioning the "punches ofthe punchv units in axial alinement with their dies. This mayconveniently be accomplished as shown in Fig. 5 by providing an aliningmember or dummy punch having a cylindrical portion ll of such diameteras to fit slidably in the hole in the punch holder in which the guide"sleeve 35 fits. This portion ll consequently, is of the same diameter asthe guide sleeve 35. The alinlng member also has an end portion 42formed to enter the hole 3| of the die and to have a close fit therein,being of slightly greater diameter than the punch itself, since thepunch must have a predetermined clearance with the hole in the die. Thisalining member preferably also has an upper handle portion 43, which maybe knurled or roughened to facilitate handling of the same. When thepunch 36 and the punch guide or stripper sleeve 33 are removed from thehole of a punch holder, the alining member or dummy punch is insertedinto this hole and the holder 34 is moved lengthwise of its rail untilthe end, portion 32 passes into the hole 3] of its die. The punch holderis then secured in this position and the alining mem-' ber removed'andreplaced by a punch and punch guide sleeve, whereupon the punch will bein cor-v rect alinement with the die and will have the necessaryclearance about its periphery with the die.

When all of these perforating units have been placed in their correctpositions on the rails, the frame may be positioned in the press and isthen ready for the perforating operations. Since the holders areremovably mounted on the frames, each frame may be used for a number ofdifferent perforating operations on different work, and holders havingdies of different sizes may be mounted on the frames. The same punchholders may be used for punches of different diameters, since thepunches and their guide sleeve may be readily removed from their holdersand replaced by other punches and guide sleeves. Also if it is desiredto sharpen a punch, it is possible to withdraw a punch from itsstripping sleeve 39 for sharpening or replacement by another punch ofthe same diameter.

.In the operation of .these perforating devices,

it will be obvious that'when the ram 2| engages the heads 39' of thepunches, the punches and punch guide sleeves 35 will be moved from theposition shown in Fig. 4 downwardly toward the dies 30 until the guidesleeve 35 engages the up-, per. face of the work 33, as shown in Figs.2, 3 and 6. the ram 2|, the guide sleeves 39 *will remain stationarywhile the punches 36 penetrate the work and enter the holes 3| in thedies 30. The slugs or punchings removed from the work will pass from theholes 3| in the dies through the milled out openings 32. Upon the returnor upward movement of the ram 2|, the stripper spring 39 which has beencompressed by the downward movement of the ram, will exert a downwardpressure on the guide sleeves 35 and an upward pressure on the punch 39,thus withdrawing or stripping the punch from the work. As soon as thepressure on the spring 39, which is much stronger than the spring 40 isrelieved, the guide sleeve 35 and punch 39 will be moved together awayfrom the work back into the position shown in Fig. 4, by means of thelifting springs 49, whereupon the perforated work piece can readily beremoved and replaced by another work piece.

It will be noted that during the perforating operation, none. of thepressure exerted by the ram to compress the stripper springs 39 and toforce the punches through the work is trans- Upon further downwardmovement of mitted to the upper frame member. These upper frame members,consequently, serve only to support the upper parts of the perforatingunits, such as the punches and stripping means, in correct axialalinement with the dies, and to guide these punches in their movementrelatively to the dies. Consequently-, .the upper frame members in myimproved apparatus are not flexed or deflected during the punchingoperation and, consequentiy, maintain the punches in correct alinementwith their dies at all times. The lifting springs 49 which arecompressed during the punching operation are only of sufllcient strengthto support the weight of the punches and stripping means and to raisethem'to their upper positions as shown in Fig. 4, and consequently, thepressures exerted on the upper frame members by these lifting springsare insignificant and not suflicient to produce any appreciabledeflection of these upper frame members. The lower frame members aresupported throughout their lengths by the bed of the press and;consequently, are not deflected by the pressures exerted on the dies bythe ram of the press.

When a plurality of frame members are to be used for perforating asingle piece of work, such for example as shown in Fig. 1, the severalframes of a perforating apparatus may be suitably secured together. Forexample, the side frame members may have their rear ends formed to fitagainst the front face of the rear frame member, and the spacingblocksat the rear ends of the side frame members may be secured to the spacingblocks of the rear frame members, and also the front ends of the sideframe members ma be correspondingly fitted to the rear edge of a frontframe member; For example, screws 46 shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 andextending through spacing blocks of the front and rear frame members maybe employed for securing the frames together. Any other suitable meansfor securing the various frame members together or in fixed relation toeach other may be provided.

43 which in the construction shown, extend through the ends of the lowerrail or frame member III of the rear frame, which ends project beyondthe spacing blocks l2, and by providing the front frame with lateralextending portions 43 secured to spacing blocks 43 thereof. When theseframe members are mounted upon a plate 41, the various frame members andthe parts mounted thereon are securely held in correct relation toeach-other, and when it is desired to perforate work by means of theapparatus shown in Fig, 1, it is merely necessary to slide the plate I!and the parts mounted thereonon the bed of a press, whereuponperforating of the metal can be proceeded with.

The side and rear frames shown in Fig. 1, which have been described, areparticularly adaptable for work in which the perforations are arrangedin straight lines, although it is obvious that the frame members Ill andII could be curved or of any shape other than straight, if desired.Ordinarily, it is, however, much easier to construct the frame memberswith accuracy if. the same are straight. In the construction showninFig. 1, the work piece 33 has an edge II which is curved, andconsequently, different means are employed for mounting the perforatingunits on the front frame so that a series of holes may be stamped in thework equally spaced from the curved edge thereof. For this purpose, thefront frame member, as shown in Figs. rm 3, has an upper rail or framemember 53 mounted upon the spacihg blocks 55, and theplate 41 itselfserves as the lower frame member orTail, and means are provided formounting theaperforating units on the frontframe member in such a mannerthat they may be adjusted not only lengthwise of the frame member as inthe case of the side andrear frame members which have been described,but also transversely of the front frame member. Any suitable or desiredmeans may be employed for this purpose, and in the construction shown,the die holders, which maybe mounted directly upon the plate 41, havehorizontal portions 54 which are provided with longitudinal slots 55through which bolts or screws 56 extend, see particu-.

larly Figs. 2 and 3. The lower ends of these bolts or screws may engagein threaded holes in the plate 41, as clearly 'shown in the left side ofFig. 3. These horizontal portions are provided with upwardly extendingarms or posts 51 which are suitably bored to receive the dies 36.

The punch holders may be similar in form to the die holders beingprovided with substantially horizontal portions 60 which are adapted torest on the upper face of the upper rail or frame member 53 which iscarefully machined to extend parallel to the plate 41, and thesehorizontal portions are also provided with slots 6| through which setscrews 62' extend. The punch holders are provided with downwardlyextending arms 63 which have holes bored therein extending accurately atright angles to the lower faces of the horizontal arms 60 of theholders, and guide or stripper sleeves 35 and punches 36 may be arrangedin these holes in the samemanner as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6.

.In order to permit the punches to be adjusted lengthwise of the upperrail or frame member 53 as well as crosswise thereof, this rail ispreferably provided on its .upper face with a dovetailed or undercutgroove 65 and dovetailed or wedgeshaped nuts 66 formed to slidelengthwise in the groove 65 may be providedwith which screws 62 engage.When the screws or bolts 62 are tightened, the punch holders will besecurely held in place on the upper rail and the nuts 66 will be wedgedin the undercut groove 65.

The use of the perforating devices employed on the front frame will beobvious from an inspection of Fig. 1, in which the various punch holdersare shown adjusted in accordance with the particular holes required inthe work 33. The slots 6| permit of adjustment of both the punch holderslengthwise as well as crosswise of the upper rail 53, and also thesepunch holders may be arranged at any desired angular relation to therail. Similarly, the die .holders may be adjusted relatively to theirsecuring screws 56 within the limits provided by the slots 55 therein.

Gage means of any suitable type may be provided for engaging the work tofacilitate the correct positioning of the same relatively to theperforating device. of any suitable desired type. In the constructionshown in Fig. 1, I employ upright gage P sts or pins 10 which may besecuredin holes formed in the die holders, forexample, in the hori- Whenthe work tobe perforated 'is inserted into the apparatus, it is movedinto engagement with the gage posts or pins, thus ensuring the correctpositioning of the work with reference to the perforating devices.

An alternative arrangement for locating the die holders in correctrelation to each other and to the work is illustrated in Fig. 6, inwhich the die holder is provided in the lower face of the arm 24 with ahole for a pilot pin 12, this hole being carefully formed in the holderto be concentric with the axis of the die 36. The plate 41 may then beused as-a template, and may be provided with a hole therein for thepilot pin I2 of each die holder. The pilot pins may be secured either inthe holes in the die holders or in the holes in the template 41, andconsequently, the die holders may be easily positioned correctly on theplate 41 by means of the pilot pins and may then be secured on theirrails 86, and the punch units may then be mounted on their rails H withthe punches 36 in axialalinement with the dies, as has already beendescribed.

In Fig. '7, I have shown another arrangement of frame members mounted ona suitable plate 15 for providing the necessary perforations in a workpiece 16 shown in broken lines. In this view, four frame members arearranged in spaced relation to each other and held in correct relationto each other by the plate I5, which may also serve as a template forcorrectly positioning the frame members relatively to each other. Thismay, for example, be accomplished by providing the plate I5 andextensions or end portions of the lower rails III with acuratelypositioned apertures in which pins 14 may enter to locate the frames onthe plate. These pins 15 may either be secured to the template and fitinto the holes of lower rail or they may be secured to the lower railand fit into holes in the template, or the pins ll may be dowels. Afterlocating the frames in this manner, they may tlaien be secured to theplate by means of screws 1 The perforating units employed in connectionwith these frame members may in the main be identical with thoseheretofore described in connection with the side and rear frames shownin Fig. 1, for forming rows of perforations in the work parallel to theframe members. In cases, however, where additional perforations notlocated in such rowsare required, one or more holders 11 may be madematerially longer than the holders described in connection with Figs. 1to 6, and a punch 18 may be located at one end of the elongated holderTI. It will be understood that the die holders arranged on the lowerFig. 7 includes a punch holder Oil having an These gage means may beelongation or extension at one end of the body portion, and providedwith a pair of punches 8| for cooperation with dies supoprted on asimilarly shaped holder.

v Fig. 7 also shows still another type of perforating unit in which theupper or punch holder is provided with an enlarged body portion 83having an L-shaped extension at one or both ends thereof and providedwith a plurality of punches 84 at the ends thereof; and this punch unitalso cooperates with a corresponding die unit (not shown) on the lowerframe member I 0. It will be obvious that the perforating units mountedon the frame members may have many different shapes, depending upon thelocation of the holes to be provided in the work.

Stop gages of any suitable or desired type may be provided forcooperation with the work and in the upper portion of Fig. 7, there areshown in broken lines, two stop posts or gages 86, which are similar inconstruction to those shown in Fig. 1. except that these gage posts aremounted on holders-or clamping members 81, which may be similar inconstruction to the clamping members or holders for the dies shown inFigs. 1 to 6, but which do not support a die. It will be obvious,however, that it is not necessary to, secure the stop posts or gagemembers 88 to holders or clamping members 31 which may be secured to thelower rail, since obviously the stop posts 06 may be secured in holesformed in the lower rail l0, or they may be secured in any suitable ordesired manner to any part of a frame or on the supporting plate Iitself.

A side stop or gage member for engaging the side of the work ispreferably also provided, and in the construction illustrated, this sidegage member is secured to the lower rail of the second frame from thetop in Fig. 7 and includes a clamping member or holder 09, which, asshown in Figs. 9 and 10, may be substantially identical with the holdersfor the punches and dies described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6, andwhich has an upwardly extending part 80 with which the side of the work16 may engage. This side gage in conjunction with the two stops or gagemembers 86 will facilitate the accurate positioning of the work withreference to the punching apparatus. It will, of course, be obvious thatthe projection 90 must be of sufIlcient length to intercept the work andit will also be obvious that the stop projection 90 may equally well beformed to extend downwardly from a clamping member secured to the upperrail II of a, frame.

In Fig. 8 is shown a gage which may be used either at the side or end ofthe work. This gage includes a holder or clamping member 9| which may besimilar to the holders employed in connection with the punches or diesandwhich includes an upwardly extending arm 92 which may besubstantially of the same width as the holder and which extends upwardlyabove the upper ends of the dies employed on the same rail. The holdermay be positioned near an end of a frame, as is the gage 89 shown inFig. 7, so that a side of the arm 92 is engaged by the side of the work.This holder may be moved lengthwise of the lower rail of a frame intothe desired position for engagement with the side of the work, and thensecured in such position.

The arm 92 may also be provided near the upper portion thereof on thesame level as the work with a threaded hole in which an adjusting screw,such as a thumb screw 93, may engage; A lock nut 94 may be employed tosecure the adjusting screw 03 in thedesired position. When the gagedevice is positioned on the rear frame of a perforating apparatus, forexample, in place of the gage devices 81 shown in Fig. 7, the adjustingscrew 83 may be positioned so that the end thereof will engage the rearedge of the work as shown in Fig. 8.

It is also desirable to have the gage posts "In,

Fig. l, 06, Fig. 7, the gage arm 00, Figs. 9 and 10, and the gage arm92, Fig. 8, terminate at their upper ends below the upper rail l I.Consequentperforated work can be lifted above the gage devices and can,consequently, be removed from the press at the rear thereof, so that oneperson can feed the sheets to be perforated to the apparatus and actuatethe press, and another person can remove the perforated sheets from theother end of the press.

In the frames heretofore described, the upper and lower rails wereconnected at their. opposite ends to spacing members or blocks.Obviously any desired number of these spacing members may be employed,so long as they do not interfere with the insertion of the work betweenthe rails. In Figs. 9 and 10, the rails and 9B are connected and heldinoperative relation to each other at one end only thereof, for example,by means of a block 81. The lower rail 05 may be longer than the upperrail to provide means for securing the lower rail to the bed of a pressor to a base plate. When the upper rail is not very long,.the mountingof the same at one end only on the lower rail produces a desirablestructure on which a number of perforating units may be adiustablymounted in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7and the holders for the punches and dies used in connection with thisframe may be identical with those heretofore described.

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown a modified form of stripper spring forwithdrawing the punches from the work, which may be employed in place ofthe stripper spring 39 described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. Thisstripper spring is formed of a plurality of dished washers or springdisks 95, which may be arranged in oppositely facing pairs, and whichwhen not under compression by the ram 2i, will hold the punch 38 in itselevated position in which the lower end of the punch is approximatelyflush with or slightly above the lower end of the guide sleeve 35. Whenpressure is applied to the disks, they are flattened to some extent topermit the punch to penetrate the work, and exert an upwardly directedforce on the head 38 of the punch. The disks are held in accurate spacedrelation to each other due to the fact that each disk has a centralaperture through which the upper portion of the punch 38 extends for'holding the spring disks in correct relation to each other. Any otherresilient means for stripping of the punch from the work may be used inplace of those described.

In Figs. 11 to 18, I have shown various means for quickly attaching thepunch and die holders on the rails or frame members. In Figs. 11 and 12,upper and lower frame members I00 and IN are provided, the end blocksfor connecting these frame members and holding them in spaced relationto each other not being shown. These rails or frame members are providedwith beveled I faces I02 at both of their lower longitudinal the form ofa strip of metal having accurately The lower end-of the downwardlyextending arm r us may be provided'with a beveled flange or spur I01formed to cooperate with either beveled edge I02 of each of the rails Iand IN. The lower holder of each perforating unit is bored to receivea'dle 30 and the upper holder is bored to receive a punch guide sleeve33 within which the punch 38 may be arranged.-

. In order to secure a holder on either the rail I80 or I02, the otherend of thebody portion I05 of the holder is provided with a projectingportion or arm I08 extending beyond the side of the rail opposite to theside at which the arm -V-sha'ped recess I89 of a rail I00 or MI. Theother arm of the lever I09 is provided with a threaded hole throughwhich a thumb screw II2 may extend, and the top member I05 of the holderis preferably provided with an upwardly extending abutment II4 withwhich the end of the thumb screw II2 may engage. It will be obvious froman inspection of Figs. 11 and 12 that when the thumb screw ,2 istightened, the lever I09 will be swung to cause the spur III thereof toengage in the groove I03 of a rail, and thus secure the holder firmlyand securely on the rail. It will also be obvious that when the thumbscrew is released, the lever may be swung into a position to disengagethe rail on which it is mounted so that the holder may be readilyremoved from the rail. A look nut IlIi may be "employed to secure thethumb screw H2 in its clampin position.

In Figs. 13 and 14, the frame members I00 and I01 may be of the sameform as' those shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and the holders for the punchand. die units differ from those shown in Figs. 11 and 12 only in themeans for clampingthe holders on the upper and lower rails of theframes. In Figs. 13 and 14, the holders I20 have bifurcated end portionsI2I provided with pivot pins I22 on which curved levers I23 arepivotally mounted. Each lever has a short arm terminating in a spur orprojection I24 which may enter a groove I03 of a rail or frame memberand. the longer arm of the lever extends above thehorizontal bodyportion of the holder I20 and has a threaded aperture to receive a thumbscrew I25 for swinging the lever I23 into position to lock the holder onits rail. I28 represents a lock nut for the thumb screw I25.

In the construction shown in Figs. 15 and 16,

holders I30 are provided which are adapted to cooperate with rails orframe members I00 and "I similar to those described in connection withFigs. 11 and *12'. In this case, each holder may be spaced holes thereinis provided in a groove or recess formed in the upper face of cheer theframe members or rails, preferably the lower rail I00. The groove ispreferably. somewhat wider than the strip template I34 and the templatemay I be secured in the groove against movement lengthwise thereof andis accurately located lengthwise of the groove.

Each holder I30 which is intended to cooperate with the strip templateI34, is provided with an accurately formed hole in the body portionthereof into which a slip pin I35 may pass, the slip pin having areduced end portion formed to extend into one of the holes in thetemplate I34. The-upper end of the slip pin may have a knurled handleportion to facilitate the use of the same. When a slip pin is positionedon a holder and in the template as shown in the lower portion .of Fig.15. it will be obvious that the holder is in correct position lengthwiseof its rail and may then be secured in place by means of the clampin:means, such as the screw I33. 0n tightening the screw I33, a slightmovement of the holder to the right in Fig. 15, may result, and thismovement is transmitted by the slip pin to the template. Since the slotfor the slip pin is slightly widerthan the template, the template canmove sidewise in this slot to the extent necessary to permit tighteningof the screw I33. Preferably after securing the first holder in place,its slip or locating pin is left in place to avoid shifting of thetemplate relatively to the rail and the holders. Each holder on thelower rail may be secured in place in this manner, but any other meansfor locating the holders incorrect relation to each other may beemployed. While I have shown this strip template only on Fig. 15, it isobvious that it may be employed on other constructions herein described.Locating devices on the holders other than the slip pins for cooperaetion with the strip template I34 may be employed, if desired.

In the construction shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the rails I36 and I31 areemployed, which differ from the rails I00 and IN, in that the groovesI03 are omitted from the rails I35 and I31. The holders I38 for thepunches and dies are each provided with an extension or pivot part I39,to which a bifurcated lever I40 may be pivoted by means of a pin MI. Thelower arm of this lever is provided with a beveled part I42 adapted toengagement with the upper lever arm I40 and secured in.its operativeposition on a rail by means of a lever I3I, one end of which bearsagainst the" body portion of the holder I30, and the other end of whichhas a spur or V-shaped part I32 which enters the groove I03 of therail.A screw I33 extends through a hole of the lever I3I and enters into athreaded hole in the body I portion of the holder I30, so that bytightenin the screw I33, the holder will be securely clamped in correctoperative position on its rail.

15 and 16, I have also shown by way of example another form of templatefor securing the holders on the lower rail in correct relation to eachother. For this purpose, a template I34 in bears against the upper faceof the holder I38, so

that by tightening this screw, the part I42 of the lever engages thebeveled face I02 op site to that engaged by the spur or projection I01of the holder, so that the holder will be securely locked in place onits rail.

' The constructions thus far described are usable in connection withwork of very substantial width, for the reason that none of the strainsof punching the work and compressing the stripping springs of thepunches are transmitted to the upper frame member or rail of any frame.It may, however, be desirable to use these frames in connection withwork of such width that the upper frame members-heretofore describedwould have a tendency to sag or become deflected, due to their ownweight, and thus interfere with the

